London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Aug 01, 2025

Scotland's papers: History made as Yousaf takes over 'divided' SNP

Scotland's papers: History made as Yousaf takes over 'divided' SNP

The election of Humza Yousaf as Nicola Sturgeon's successor dominates Scotland's front pages.

The election of Humza Yousaf as SNP leader, and likely first minister, has been hailed as a "historic day for Scotland" by the Daily Record. The health secretary is set to become "the first person of colour, first Muslim, first person in their 30s and first son of immigrants" to lead the country, the paper notes.



The National also describes the election of Humza Yousaf as historic. It shows an image of his emotional parents, Muzaffar Yousaf and Shaaista Bhutta, as their son was announced as the contest winner at a press conference at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. Mr Yousaf is expected to be voted in as first minister at Holyrood on Tuesday.



Mr Yousaf's victory followed a "bitter battle" among the SNP candidates, The Herald writes. Political editor Tom Gordon describes the result as a "slow puncture" for the party, as opposed to a potential "car crash" had Finance Secretary Kate Forbes won. He says that outcome would have been a "shock to the party hierarchy". Ms Forbes narrowly lost out by just over 2,000 of the 50,490 votes.



Mr Yousaf said he felt like the "luckiest man in the world" following his election, but The Scotsman warns he faces an "uphill battle to unite a divided party". The paper says he will be voted in as first minister with the support of the Scottish Greens, who are in government with the SNP.



The Scottish Sun focuses on the "knife-edge race" between Mr Yousaf and Ms Forbes. The health secretary won with 52% of the votes when second preference votes from former minister Ash Regan - who was eliminated after finishing third - were redistributed. Ms Forbes received 48%.



Mr Yousaf won out in a "tense" event at Murrayfield, the Daily Star of Scotland reports. It also describes the result as a "historic first".



Mr Yousaf, who is set to become the country's youngest first minister at the age of 37, has vowed to "dedicate every waking moment" to serving the people of Scotland, Metro writes.



The new SNP leader is criticised by the Scottish Daily Mail for telling reporters that he will immediately push for an independence referendum after being named first minister. Mr Yousaf has said his government will continue to call for a Section 30 order from Westminster to gain the necessary powers to stage a legally binding referendum.



The Scottish Conservatives claim Mr Yousaf's comments show the SNP is ignoring the "real priorities" of Scots to "obsess over independence", the Scottish Daily Express reports.



Mr Yousaf is also set to clash with Westminster over the Scottish government's reforms to gender identification laws, the i reports. Mr Yousaf has said he could challenge the UK government after it blocked the legislation under what is known as a Section 35 order.



The Telegraph predicts the Scottish government is on a "collision course" with Westminster after Mr Yousaf vowed to put the push for independence into "fifth gear". The paper also says the SNP leadership contest "laid bare the huge divisions" in the party.


The imminent departure of Nicola Sturgeon will spark a "concerted campaign" by Labour to win over SNP voters, The Times reports. It says opponents will aim to capitalise on Mr Yousaf's "unpopularity" after he was backed as first choice by 34% of SNP members.


The Courier also leads with Mr Yousaf's feeling that he is the "luckiest man in the world" following his "narrow win" against Ms Forbes.


Mr Yousaf has promised "no empty soundbites or easy answers" as he aims to tackle a range of issues facing Scotland, the Edinburgh Evening News reports.



The Glasgow Times leads with Mr Yousaf's pledge to be a "first minister for all of Scotland". The Glasgow Pollok MSP has been told by poverty campaigners that creating a fairer society must be his top priority, the paper reports.



As well as the SNP leadership election, the Press and Journal leads with a report on concerns over the future of the North Sea energy industry. A combination of windfall taxes, inflation and political "uncertainty" are threatening billions of pounds worth of investment, the paper reports.



A teenager is facing an attempted murder charge after a 30-year-old man was stabbed multiple times in Aberdeen on Saturday night, the Evening Express reports.



A pack of wolves have been put down at a Scottish wildlife park, the Evening Telegraph says. The animals were euthanised following "complications" during an operation on the alpha male wolf. His death sparked "anxious and abnormal" behaviour in four other wolves, Camperdown Wildlife Centre said, leading to them also being put down.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
×